The Ellipse in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The National Christmas Tree
President's Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 4, 2010
1. The National Christmas Tree Marker
At 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse and “pushed the button” to light the first National Christmas Tree. A crowd of 3,000 witnessed the inaugural lighting of the 48-foot, cut Balsam fir, donated by Middlebury College, Vermont. For the next thirty years, live trees were lit at various locations on or near the White House grounds. Finally, in 1954, the ceremony returned to the Ellipse.
Cut trees served as National Christmas Trees until 1973. It was then decided to plant a permanent live tree. The current National Christmas Tree, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce was transplanted from York, Pennsylvania, in October 1978. Since President Coolidge began the tradition in 1923, each presidential administration has participated in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Man-Made Features • Notable Events • Peace. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #30 Calvin Coolidge, and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1978.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named The National Christmas Tree (here, next to this marker); Zero Milestone (within shouting distance of this marker); White House Kitchen Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); John Saul (within shouting distance of this marker); White House Ablaze (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Tecumseh Sherman (about 600 feet away); Boy Scout Memorial (about 700 feet away); Original Patentees Memorial (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
[Photo captions:]
President Coolidge lights the first National Christmas Tree in 1923.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree ceremony
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 4, 2010
2. The National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree decorated (above) in 1996. The Colorado blue spruce was transplanted (right) to the Ellipse in 1978.
Also see . . . U.S. National Christmas Tree Blown Down by Heavy Winds. (Submitted on April 1, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, April 4, 2010
3. The original National Christmas Tree Marker - in the grass on the Ellipse
Transplanted October 11, 1978
Christmas Pageant
of
Peace
Committee
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 4, 2010
4. The National Chanukah Menorah
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 9, 2010
5. The National Christmas Tree - lighting ceremony, 2010
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 20, 2011
6. The new National Christmas Tree - a 26-foot Colorado blue spruce planted 2011
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, December 20, 2011
7. The National Christmas Tree Marker
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, November 14, 2011
8. The National Christmas Tree - 2012
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, November 14, 2011
9. National Christmas Tree - signage, 2012
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 8, 2017
10. The National Christmas Tree Marker with the National Christmas Tree in the background
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 8, 2017
11. 2017 National Christmas Tree Music Program
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,019 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on December 8, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on December 10, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on December 20, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8, 9. submitted on December 8, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 10, 11. submitted on December 8, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
